Te Kohanga 2013

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I planned to go to Te Kohanga, otherwise known as Castle Hill for the Matariki new moon. This was my first visit to this sacred place, that is about an hour out of Christchurch.

Christchurch

June 8, Flying from Auckland to Christchurch, arriving at 1.45pm.  Firstly went to stay with a fellow artist, Robyn Webster, and her partner, a sculptor, the late Llew Summers.  Llew had built the house in Mt Pleasant, where they were living, and it is a beautiful art piece in itself.  The house, is also called ‘Castle in the Sky’, is built over seven levels.  It was good to spend some time with them, and in their house full of art. They happened to be hosting a house concert that evening, so I didn’t have to go far to hear some eclectic local music by candlelight.

June 9, on the next part of the journey to see and hear the teachings of the Dalai Lama at CBS Arena, at 10am. I don’t know what happened in there, but afterwards I felt really good. And was practically skipping along the street with my travel bag. I noticed the audience afterwards felt considerably ‘lighter’. It was in a big stadium and you could see him sitting with the other monks who travel with him, and then there was a big screen behind him. An Explanation of the Four Noble Truths and a Public Talk.

Springfield

Then I caught a bus to Springfield, and stayed at the YHA Springfield, the staff were very friendly.  The fire was going there, as it was a cold wintry evening. There is a large donut sculpture sitting in the town, as the Simpsons producers send one to all the Springfield towns around the world! I was on my way the next day to Te Kohanga.

Te Kohanga

10 June  –  A New Moon with Matariki – beautiful day – I was there for five hours.

The next morning I was booked in for an early pick up from Springfield. A shuttle van got me to the area of Flock Hill, the driver dropped me off on the roadside and Castle Hill was before me.

When I arrived there was a blanket of fog, looked amazing, my first views of Te Kohanga. It was quiet and still, no one else around, and also quite cold. I looked like I was in the movie Vigil when I arrived as I was all rugged up. The fog lifted later and the sun came out to visit, so it got really warm.

In 2002, the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, visited. He described this unique place as ‘the Spiritual centre of the Universe’. He reportedly at the time, didn’t resonate with the energy of Christchurch, and was drawn instead to the boulder field at Castle Hill.

If your not a fan of rocks then look away, as there are lot here…

The Waitaha called the area ‘Te Kohanga’ or ‘birthplace of the Gods’. It had astronomical significance as a key ‘observatory’ for the coming weather predictions. Many of the population migrated from the coast in summer. Supporting this role, and tending the sacred vegetable of the kumara. The limestone geology was seen as ancestors, and sacred due to the eons of creatures whose remains had built up the rock since ancient times.

“Within these high mountain ramparts stood the greatest school of learning in the land and maybe in the world. Here, the old lore, the most sacred knowledge of all, was taught and stored. Here Waitaha placed their cosmology, their understanding of creation, for all who visited to see and record.”

‘In Search of the Southern Serpent’
by Hamish Miller & Barry Brailsford

The light language is now flowing out, and there were lots of songs too. As I had started speaking it that year, with singing in my everyday when I walk down the street. With LL coming forth in certain places, I also spent a lot of time in the sun with different rocks, and really felt the energy there. Lying on these rocks, felt like a recharging in a way and I felt somewhat energised after my time spent surrounded by these sacred rocks and tones they hold.

There was one rock on the left hand side entering, that I could sense quite strongly – the same size as all the others really. And then the clearing later – with rocks in a circle – lots of mahi around the outside – bringing voice/toning, and sitting and standing in certain areas.

The energy at Castle Hill is what I would imagine Lemurian energy to feel like. On my travels there have been two other places that I have felt this same energy, Castle Lake at Mt Shasta, and Amaru Muru in Peru. For some reason these three places, held the same energy for me. It is a peaceful energy.

Before going to Castle Hill I had read ‘Sunshine before the Dawn’ by Judy Satori, also in this book is written about Lemuria and the significance of Te Kohanga.   Gary Cook speaks about it on facebook here

Stayed the night at Springfield Backpackers again, by the fire. A bird flew ahead of me for ages walking along the road when I was walking afterwards. It was beautiful, it was an amazing day, and I only saw two or three people from afar all day.

Christchurch

The next day I bussed back to Christchurch, and stayed the night at Dorset Backpackers. The next day with a walk around Christchurch city, a city that was shaken by an earthquake on Feb 22, 2011. Spaces that are being reclaimed. A city that has felt so much. Reconstruction and remembrance in the form of art. There was interesting types of construction happening, one such remembrance in the form of a cardboard cathedral.

 

12 June, 14.45 with a flight back to Auckland and the North Island.

Lake Rotopounamu 2012

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Dec 16,  I Flew in from Uluru to Auckland late and caught the bus into town to meet with my brother Matt, on K Road. I went to stay at his flat.  I was thankful as I had a room, his flatmate was away and I was pretty tired, so it was good to relax there!  A few days later I caught a bus to Katikati to see my parents, Colleen and Lawrie.  My mum thought I would at least be there for my birthday, but spirit had other plans to follow at this time, (so sorry mum… but I was off again!)

On the 21st of December, my parents kindly dropped me early in Tauranga, and I caught a bus to Turangi.  I felt guided to go to Rotopounamu and be there for the Solstice, the precession of the equinoxes.  And this also fell on my birthday in NZ, on the 22nd of December.  According to Robert Coon, the Rainbow serpent dips under New Zealand and this sacred lake is the water element of the earth.  I had just followed this line from Glastonbury, to Bali to Uluru.

I had been in contact with Ian from the Samurai Lodge backpackers with emails before arrival, and he had said he could transport me to the lake for $5.  Ian was extremely friendly.  I got there, and he asked if I had a license, I said ‘yes’.  He then asked if I had it with me, I said ‘no’, he said, ‘doesn’t matter’, and threw me his car keys!  I hadn’t planned on going there on the 21st upon arrival, but spirit had other ideas!  Three others from the hostel came too and it was not far to drive from the hostel. We all put $5 petrol in each too, we did a loop on the way and went past a marae, and had a look from the outside.

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It was a great day, with a young Canadian couple and a young German lass, none of us had been to the  lake before. Its an hour and a half walk around it. I ended up going three days on the trot, the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of December 2012.

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When we arrived at a clearing on part of the lake with the most beach, lake roto 2there were many people meditating, concentrating quietly on the lake. There was about twenty people and looked like different nationalities. I asked the others if they would like to do one, as they said they had never seen anyone meditate before. I felt guided to do this. So I said ‘I know it sounds weird, but if you would like, to send as much love as you can to the middle of the lake and into the water’. We all did this together.

We had such a lovely walk around, there are some fantastic trees and foliage in there. Dreamland.  I have heard it said that there are evidently four tributary streams that enter the lake, but it is unknown where the water goes to.  And filling a crater nestled into the western side of Mount Pihanga, the lake covers one square kilometre. The name means, ‘roto’ (lake) and ‘pounamu’ (greenstone).

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From the lookout we stopped at on the way back, this hill or volcano, not sure what the name of it is, but has an interesting shape to it.  And where we stopped there was lots of fog, it looked really amazing.

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At one of the lookouts there was a lot of fog…

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22nd Dec – The next day was my birthday, 42nd.   It was the procession of the equinoxes. And as I found out later this is when the earth raised its frequency.  This was the day that had been been prophesised. 

I went up Mt Tongariro with Ian whom runs hostel and other backpackers in his van and some of his children, heck what an amazing place, molten rock, where some of the Lord of the Rings footage was shot.

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And then he dropped me back off at the lake again, it was slightly rainy but it cleared.  I had a swim, like the day before. I didn’t see many people. On the three days I went around, twice I think it was anti-clockwise and once clockwise.

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There was a tree that I had felt a very strong energy by, and was guided to be at that spot for a long time. A couple whom had been on the track also, gave me a lift back to Turangi town ship.

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The next day, I went back to the Lake again for the third day, and a swim again.  I found a lift back to the hostel with a German traveller, as he was leaving the lake track at the same time I was.  I picked up my bag at hostel and caught the bus to Tauranga. My brother Matt kindly picked me up and took me back to KatiKati, for a belated birthday dinner with my family.

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Uluru 2012

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I arrive at 12 midday on the 12/12/12  …  and I knew something was up!

The flight left Perth at 23.15 pm on December 11, towards Ayers Rock… Uluru!  The flight I had found that was the cheapest, flew me to Sydney first.  So I randomly flew over the rock and then back again with Virgin Australia. The flight was scheduled to land at 11.45 am, the flight was late arriving…

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Uluru – view from plane.

We touched down at 12 midday, on the 12/12/12, maybe I was in the right place at the right time! Flying over the rock as we approached, a Japanese women sitting near me and myself were exclaiming with joy and happiness at seeing it below us and all the red earth.

Stepping out of the airplane to stand at the top of the plane stairs, seeing it and sensing its energy right in front of me was an incredible experience. In that its energy felt very powerful, like a battery pulsing. No wonder some say it is the solar plexus chakra of the planet, the power – point. There was an Aboriginal television station NITV launching that day in Uluru, with a concert in the evening. I had met some people on my flight whom were heading to the launch.

I went to stay at the Outback Resort, in the dorm accommodation – I had a reservation, but when I booked in, I had trouble my card for some reason.  So I found free internet in an air conditioned lounge in the resort and skyped with my parents.  Asking if they could transfer funds and I would pay them back, they were fantastic and said they could.  This was the first time this had happened. Because I was organizing all this, I wasn’t in bed asleep, after being awake all night; but there may have been a reason for this happening, with the chain events that unfolded…

I went to sit outside and I sat next to and met a lovely man called Brian Butler. He was waiting to catch a bus to the free launch concert for the first Aboriginal tv station. He gave me his card, he is an important ambassador for Aboriginal rights. I could tell he was well connected. And Brian introduced me to a woman called Lorraine, she was the artist in residence there at the time.

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After heading back to my room for a rest, I went back later to see if I could go on the bus to the concert. I didn’t get one. Then I realized it was for the best as I was very tired.  I enjoyed watching the live feed on television at the hostel, before heading to bed.

The next day, because the free internet room was much cooler than the outside… hot!  I went there to internet surf.  And messaged with Joy Phoenix online, and connected in with her from Uluru.  experiencejoy

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The presence of Uluru can still be felt strongly from the resort. It can also be seen from a look-out at the backpackers, as well as Kata Tjuta.

In the afternoon, I went to an Aboriginal dance performance outside, and found myself going up to join in and dance at the end.Lorraine, had seen me and came to say hello. Synchronicity was here. I asked her in the conversation if she was driving to Uluru tomorrow – she said ‘I am, and there is also a sunrise meditation, would you like to come?’  ‘YES’!  She said ‘I will just call someone and ask’.  Shortly after, she handed me the cell phone.A voice spoke to me, and I nearly cried, as the voice was so beautiful and clear, its resonance was unlike any voice I had heard. It was a man’s voice; he said ‘you are welcome to come to the meditation’.  I was so happy! I handed the phone back and she said ‘do you know who that was’?  I said I didn’t have any idea, she said ‘Uncle Bob, the caretaker of Uluru’!

So, next morning Lorraine picked me up at about 4.45am where I was staying at the backpackers, the Outback Pioneer Lodge.  Driving on the way there was a barrier, the toll booth, where an entry fee is paid to go to Uluru.  It wasn’t open yet, and we had to get there for the sunrise meditation. Other cars were waiting, as it should have been open by that time; she drove around it, up and over the curb!… Ah such fun, and very Dukes of Hazard, it really did felt like we were on a mission. I think Uncle Bob is in charge of the toll booth anyways.  She said she thought she was a walk in.

So we got to Uncle Bobs house, he greeted us and there were introductions. He had a real presence.  He had people staying, as he has an open door policy. People on the spiritual path from all over the world stay with him, listen to his teachings and hear his wisdom. We drove in two cars to the place for sunrise meditation. It was called Sunrise Hill or something like that if I remember rightly.  Which was on Aboriginal land, a place where tour buses can not go. Uluru sat there in front of us, charging out.  An American camera crew, (a couple making a documentary), filmed us as we did the group meditation. Guided by Uncle Bob, there were six of us, a meditation to the four directions. There was an incredible sun-rise, Uncle Bob said he had not seen one like that before.

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Sunrise Meditation

Then back to Uncle Bob’s, then he took some of us, out in his car.  Less Lorraine, she stayed behind, as she was helping him with some cleaning for payment.  Uncle Bob took us to see some of the Aboriginal land. Where they have been guiding groups as to the ancient ways, we saw the labyrinth from above.

In Honour of Bob Randall, I filmed this video in which he shares the Kanyini principles. Which are depicted in this labyrinth on sacred land.  Kanyini is the Aboriginal teachings of unconditional Love. Based on four principles passed down from the Aboriginal elders.

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View of the Labyrinth

Then back at Uncle Bob’s, he played us the song he wrote about the Stolen children. Here is a link to him singing the song, Brown Skinned Baby  He is well known in Australia for this song, and he shared the story behind it, in that it was his story, We were all very touched, and there were were not many dry eyes. It was an honour to be there.

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Lorraine, Adrian, and another lady after the sunrise meditation

I had brought small snacks to share and we had a bit of food together, we donated something to Bob for taking us out. After goodbyes, as I was leaving with Lorraine, Uncle Bob called to me and gave me a signed paperback of his short stories.   There was a warmth that surrounded him.  

On the drive back, Lorraine parked and we walked not far to the big rock Uluru, then she went on out for more of a walk, I stayed where I was; it was less hot and there was shade there. I was guided to hold the rock and tone. I was the only one there, and I let out as much sound with resonance as I could.

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Then I was being called. It was time to go. I jumped back into the car to escape the extreme heat. It was time to pack and prepare to leave the next morning for New Zealand!

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Uncle Bob Randall and me

Uncle Bob Randall did many great things for the civil rights movement in Australia.   He featured in John Pilger’s films “The Secret Country: The First Australians fight back” and “Utopia”.  He passed over on May 13th, 2015.

Robert James “Bob” Randall was an Aboriginal Australian elder, singer and community leader. He was a member of the Stolen Generations and became an elder of the Yankunytjatjara people from Central Australia.

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Lorraine and I after the sunrise meditation
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Leave Ayers Rock 12.20 pm the next day, arrive back in to Auckland, NZ, that night at 12.35am.